Aloha to Sandy at the Naval Training Center

In honor of Armed Forces Appreciation Week, Sandy is giving us a tour of the Naval Training Center in San Diego.  

For decades the training center was part of San Diego naval history starting all the way back in the 1920's. 

The Naval Training Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thanks, Sandy, for the tour!   Do you have any pets?  I have two family cats and four foster cats!   One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts win a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is  open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 18, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 19, 10 pm in Hawaii.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to the Gateway to Paradise!

I live near the airport and popped over to check out the recently renovated USO Lounge.  Here's a few photos from the gateway to paradise ....

We have a large influx of Asian tourists.

Oversized luggage includes golf clubs and surfboards.

The lava-lava the Samoan word for a cloth worn as a skirt by men and women.   It is a popular uniform for the transport companies.

Newly arrived military personnel appreciate a smiling face and helpful directions.

Inside the USO Lounge, a hula girl pays tribute to the Medal of Honor recipients.   How far do you live from the airport?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 18, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 19, at The Reading Reviewer.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

I join the USO in supporting deployed troops!

Kalani I Ka Lewa - Ascend to the Heavens

Last week my son's school hosted a Curriculum Fair.   The statue in front of the school is:

Kalani I Ka Lewa.

Ascend to the Heavens.

Education enables the students to soar ...

David, left, presented what he learned about Math - Angle Measurements and Grid Type.   Rei, right, displayed famous Egyptian women - Hatshepsut and Cleopatra.

 Egypt was a popular theme - Megan posted about mummies!

Jack built a medieval castle - long live history!

In the other 6th grade class, the students created covers for their favorite book.

I loved ANNE OF GREEN GABLES!

The yellow submarine comes from DIVE.  What is your favorite children's book?   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.   This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 18, 10 pm in Hawaii. 

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

David has outgrown his 4th grade teacher!

Aloha to Fort Shafter and Palm Circle

Fort Shafter is the oldest military installation on Oahu.  It sits atop a ridge line, overlooking Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.

The highlight is Palm Circle with its parade ground and plantation houses.

The houses are assigned to the general officers, including the Australian liaison to Pacific Command.

The palm trees line the circular road around the parade field ...

... perfect location for retirement ceremonies, as featured in an episode of H50 (at this link).

Palm Circle was also featured in the movie PEARL HARBOR with Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale.  Do you have a favorite "war" movie - any decade?   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 11, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 12, at The Reading Reviewer (at this link).

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii   

Aloha to the Queen Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden

Queen Lili'uokalani, Hawaii's last monarch, often visited her garden along the Nu'uana Stream.  She bequeathed it to the city for the public's enjoyment. 

The garden is home of the Waikahulu Waterfall.

The developing garden includes native Hawaiian plants ... 

... including the Ma'o, "Hawaiian cotton", a member of the hibiscus family.   Do you have a favorite garden?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 11, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

The city has grown around the garden.

Aloha to Kahala - Statues Galore!

Following up to my pictures of Kahala (at this link), I offer you pictures of the statues galore along Kahala Avenue.  They decorate the properties owned by eccentric Japanese billionaire Genrshir Kawamoto.  Sadly, he has allowed the properties to fall in disrepair (at this link)  ... but his statues are entertaining!

The statues suggest heavenly peace ...

... but the neighbors roar that the eccentric is "wreaking havoc" with property values.    What do you think of the statues?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 11, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 12, at the Reading Reviewer (at this link).

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Kahala - Wai'alae Beach Park

Kahala is an affluent neighborhood east of Diamond Head.   I drove to the Wai'alae Beach Park to start my photo safari.

  
Kahala is located on the southeast corner of Oahu.  It doesn't offer expansive beaches ... but unique topography.

 Love this little island of palm trees!

It was fairly quiet in the natural cove ... but I could hear the waves roaring in the distance.

The beach leads to the Kahala Hotel and Resort (at this link) ... 

 ... the hotel is home to several honu (turtles) ...

... and the Dolphin Quest.  The hotel works with Sea Life Park to care for the honu and nai`a (dolphins).

I'm a sucker for waterfalls!  I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one commenter from this week's comments.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about dolphins - check out their names on the hotel website at this link.  What's your favorite name?   Mine is Liko.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 5, at The Reading Reviewer.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Up close photo of a plumeria flower placed in a tree trunk.